Monthly Archives: May 2017

In 2019, The Open will return to Northern Ireland for the first time in nearly 70 years. The 148th rendition of the world’s golf tournament will be contested on glorious Royal Portrush, the only club in Ireland to host the event.

Royal Portrush

Royal Portrush is an important locale in Irish golf history as it welcomed the inaugural Irish Open Amateur Championship in 1892 and inaugural Irish Professional Championship in 1907 as well as staging both the Irish Open and Senior British Open multiple times.

Featuring two 18-hole layouts designed by legendary Harry Colt, both are “must-plays” for lovers of golf course architecture. Dunluce Links – the championship layout – consistently ranks among the world’s greatest courses and is widely noted as one of the game’s sternest tests. Playing through rugged terrain and featuring dramatic elevation changes, Dunluce bedevils even the most accomplished golfers. Vivid views of the North Atlantic and 13th Century Dunluce Castle enhance its timeless charm.

According to GOLF Magazine, it is also one of Northern Ireland native Rory McIlroy’s Top 10 Favorite Courses. “Royal Portrush is one of Ireland’s most stunning golfing venues,” said McIlroy. “I could mention every hole in detail, but Calamity Corner, the 210-yard par-3, must be played to be appreciated. With the wind blowing in from the North Antrim coast, this is not a hole for the faint-hearted! In almost every sense, Royal Portrush is a truly awe-inspiring experience.”

The course recently underwent substantial renovations ahead of the upcoming Open Championship. Two entirely new dramatic holes now replace Nos. 17 and 18 of the old routing. Multiple holes enjoy new greens and “Calamity Corner” boasts a new back tee now stretching the famous par 3 to almost 240 yards.

The 6,304-yard, par 70 Valley Links is shorter and slightly less demanding than Dunluce Links, but equally well-maintained and a blast to play. Tricky fast greens and punishing rough provide all the challenge any golfer needs.

Royal County Down

Two hours south of Royal Portrush sits mighty Royal County Down. The iconic course just hosted the Irish Amateur Open Championship and previously has held the Irish Professional Championship, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship and Senior Open Championship.

Situated in the stunning Murlough Nature Reserve, Royal County Down is set against the magnificent background of the Mountains of Mourne. The zigzag design offers glorious vistas from virtually every hole. It is “links” golf at its finest. With intimidatingly narrow fairways weaving between formidable sand dunes, the course is as difficult as it is striking. Multiple blind shots offer an added challenge. Last year it held the pole position in Golf Digest’s list of “The World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”

Portstewart

A robust Northern Ireland golf itinerary should also include rounds at Portstewart, Ardglass and Castlerock. Portstewart will host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open July 6 – 9. This marks the third time in the last six years the tournament will be staged in Northern Ireland after previous outings at Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.

Ardglass Golf Club

Just a scenic 30-minute drive from Royal County Down, Ardglass’ difficulty is intensified by unpredictable winds, hard fairways and small, firm greens. The Irish Sea is visible from most every vantage point and even comes into play on eight holes. Golf history buffs recognize the clubhouse, dating back to 1405 AD, as the oldest in the world.

Castlerock Golf Club

Castlerock, just 20 minutes from both Royal Portrush and Portstewart, features 27 holes. The par-73, 18-hole Mussenden Course sits hard against the North Atlantic, making wind a huge factor. A railway line runs the full length of the course’s most recognizable hole, the par-3 4th known as “Leg O’ Mutton,” which plays to a raised green.

Nestled in the heart of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, the Bushmills Inn is an ideal home base less than a half-hour from Casterock and Portstewart and just five miles down the road from Royal Portrush.

Read our Perfect Pairing to learn more about this luxurious boutique hotel.

There’s something exciting about pairing the classics with the new, especially when applied to great golf courses.

With a flurry of courses set to open over the next few months, there is no better time for Irish golf vacations combining old world charm with something new and cool. We asked Carr Golf travel expert Mark Byrne his top vintage-modern pairings for golf trips to the Emerald Isle. He quickly recommended Adare Manor with Lahinch Golf Club and Hogs Head Golf Club with Waterville Golf Links.

Adare Manor

Located in Limerick, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort is on the tail end of an intense 18-month renovation. Set on 840 scenic acres, the property features a five-star resort with myriad amenities including an 18-hole golf course. Designed by the great Robert Trent Jones, the championship layout is widely regarded as one of the finest parkland layouts in Ireland. The course is currently being renovated with complete rebuilding of the tees and greens. A great course is going to be even better.

“Adare Manor is set for a soft opening on Sept. 1,” says Byrne. “The course has been entirely revamped under the watchful eye of Tom Fazio, one of the world’s most revered designers. He is retiring after this project, so Adare will be one of his last works. Adare have spared no costs and have put a SubAir system on each green for year-round playability. They are aiming to not only be one of the best courses in Ireland, but one of the best in the world.”

Tiger playing at Adare Manor

Adare Manor will host the JP McManus Invitational in July 2020 and many hope the Ryder Cup will follow.

“To pair Adare Manor with a classic course, it would be hard to look past Lahinch Golf Club,” says Byrne. “It is celebrating 125 years in existence with its members this year.”

Lahinch Golf Club

Situated on Ireland’s Atlantic Coast, the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club was named one of the “World’s 100 Greatest Courses” by Golf Digest last year and is a model for blending the old with the new. While it has undergone multiple renovations to keep up with the times, it has managed to retain its classic charm. Its two most distinctive holes – the par-5 No. 4 and par-3 No. 5 – were designed by the great Old Tom Morris and have stood the test of time.

For those visiting the southwest coast of Ireland, Byrne recommends pairing Hogs Head Golf Club with Waterville Golf Links.

Old Skellig Bay Golf Club

Overseen by the golf course architecture firm of Robert Trent Jones II, Hogs Head Golf Club is scheduled to open in August. It is expected to be a private club with limited public access. Built on the site of the old Skellig Bay Golf Club, Hogs Head is a completely new layout with nods to classic Irish design. Nestled among farmland, the course will offer stunning views of the Atlantic as well as Macgillycuddy’s Reeks – a mountain range with the highest peaks in Ireland.

Waterville Golf Club

Just down the road, Waterville Golf Links is a true links course consistently rated amongst the best in Ireland.

“Like Adare Manor, Waterville was redesigned by Tom Fazio,” notes Byrne. “His renovation added a new practice facility and state-of-the-art health facility to the classic course.”

Many members of the Carr Golf travel team list Waterville Golf Links as a “must-play” course in Ireland. This summer, the iconic venue will host our 28th Annual World Invitational Father & Son and 10th Annual World Invitational Father & Daughter golf tournaments.

Golf travel is an ideal way to see the world and explore new cultures. Competing in a pro-am golf event abroad comes with a host of added benefits. While it’s true golf is usually an individual sport, there is something extraordinary about playing as part of a team. Nothing compares to the joyful bond between teammates while taking part in friendly competitions.

At Carr Golf’s World Links Invitational Pro-Am, each team consists of one PGA professional and seven amateurs. The best four of the eight scores per hole make up the team score, so there’s no added pressure to perform on every hole. While individual golfers might be disappointed with a quad, it’s comforting to know your teammates have your back and the high number likely won’t appear on the official team scorecard.

Whether your team consists of best friends or just an eclectic group wanting to experience the exceptional golf in Ireland, you will undoubtedly make memories lasting a lifetime. The team format allows you to compete with your companions instead of against them as perhaps you do at your home club.

By competing in a multi-round tournament, you give yourself the best chance to shine. Our World Links Invitational is a week-long event played on several of the best links courses in the world: Waterville, Dooks, Tralee, Doonbeg and Lahinch. Even having a good round (or just good shots!) on just one of these iconic layouts will provide you with stories to tell for years to come.

The competition may be fierce, but there is plenty of time to socialize away from the course. Full daily breakfasts and lunches are included in the fall tournament, making meal times an ideal time to network with your friendly competitors. Plus, everything from accommodations to golf to transportation is taken care of, so you can spend more time mingling and simply savoring the experience.